A unique opportunity has emerged for architecture enthusiasts and collectors alike, as the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Florida has hit the real estate market. The three-bedroom Spring House, located outside Tallahassee, is currently listed for $2.1 million, making it relatively affordable compared to other works by the Prairie Style pioneer. However, potential buyers should be prepared for a significant challenge: the property requires extensive renovations before it can be inhabited, as it has been designated as one of the most endangered historic sites in the United States.
The Spring House was constructed in 1954 for George Lewis, a local banker, and his wife Clifton Lewis, who was both a civil rights leader and an advocate for the arts. When the couple approached Wright for the commission, they honestly warned the famous architect that they had "a lot of children and not much money." This type of residential project was actually quite typical for Wright, who, despite being renowned for grand public buildings like the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, frequently accepted commissions from middle-class American families. These homes were part of Wright's Usonian movement—a term he coined meaning "of these United States"—which documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has described as reflecting Wright's belief in the moral and political importance of homeownership.
True to Wright's architectural philosophy of harmonizing interior and exterior environments, the Spring House was named after a small stream that winds around the property. The 2,040-square-foot structure showcases Wright's commitment to using natural materials native to the region, including red cypress wood and Ocala limestone, allowing the building to blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest landscape. Following the design principles Wright employed in his later career works, the house features a distinctive semicircular or hemicycle floor plan with expansive curved windows that flood the open interior spaces with natural sunlight, giving the entire structure a shape reminiscent of a ship's hull.
The architectural features of the Spring House include a balcony, two bathrooms, and two uniquely rounded fireplaces that serve as focal points within the open-plan design. Additionally, the property includes an incomplete terrace wall and a reflecting pool, elements that were part of Wright's original vision for integrating the home with its natural surroundings. The large curved windows not only provide abundant natural light but also offer panoramic views of the forest, creating the indoor-outdoor living experience that Wright championed throughout his career.
The Lewis family made the Spring House their home in the 1950s and continued to live there until George's death in 1996. Following her husband's passing, Clifton Lewis established the Spring House Institute, a nonprofit organization with the mission of preserving this historically and culturally significant property for future generations. Although the organization initially planned to open the Spring House to public tours after both owners had passed away, the property ultimately was inherited by their daughter, Byrd Mashburn. It was Mashburn's decision to put the family home on the market, explaining to the Tallahassee Democrat that "it's just the right time for her and her family."
For those interested in Frank Lloyd Wright properties, the Spring House is not the only option currently available. According to the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, as of September 2025, eight other Wright-designed homes are on the market across the United States. These include the Eppstein House in Galesburg, Michigan (built in 1948), the Georgia and Richard Lloyd Jones House in Tulsa, Oklahoma (1929), the Hills House in Oak Park, Illinois (1900), the Hughes House in Jackson, Mississippi (1949), the Lykes House in Phoenix, Arizona (1959), the Roloson Houses in Chicago, Illinois (1894), the Weisblat House in Galesburg, Michigan (1948), and the Zeigler House in Frankfort, Kentucky (1910).
Unfortunately, time and Florida's challenging climate have severely impacted the Spring House's structural integrity. Multiple hurricanes have caused significant leaks throughout the building, which have weakened the home's support columns over the years. The wooden exterior has suffered damage from both insects and woodpeckers, while the electrical and plumbing systems are completely outdated and require full replacement. These deteriorating conditions led the National Trust for Historic Preservation to include the Spring House on its 2014 list of Most Endangered Historic Places in the United States.
The Spring House's condition reflects a broader challenge facing many Frank Lloyd Wright buildings across the country. The J.J. Walser Jr. House, a Prairie Style home in Chicago, has fallen into serious disrepair after being left vacant since 2019 and was included on the city's "Chicago 7" list of most endangered landmarks, buildings, and public works in March 2025. Even Wright's most famous creation, Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, is currently undergoing an extensive renovation project that is expected to cost more than $7 million. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is leading this three-year effort to waterproof the home's roof and windows while making other critical structural repairs.
The future restoration prospects for the Spring House remain uncertain at this time. While the Spring House Institute made an attempt to raise funds for necessary renovations in 1996, no substantial restoration work has been completed except for some basic stabilization efforts that were conducted in 2015. The architectural and preservation communities are hopeful that the property's next owner will have both the financial resources and commitment necessary to restore this unique Frank Lloyd Wright creation to its former glory, ensuring its preservation for future generations to appreciate and study.
